Mecanismo

A mechanism, called mecanismo in Spanish and Portuguese, is a system of rigid bodies connected by joints that transmits or transforms motion and force. It is designed to control how a movement is produced, including its direction, speed, and force, by combining simple parts such as levers, gears, and linkages. The term is commonly used in engineering, robotics, and the study of motion.

Common mechanism types include linkages (for guiding motion through a sequence of positions), gears and gear trains (for altering speed and torque), cams and followers (to convert rotary motion into particular profiles), screw and nut systems, belts and pulleys, and rack-and-pinion arrangements. Actuators such as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders supply input movement, while springs provide restoring or preload forces; ratchets allow one-way motion.

Design and analysis of mechanisms relies on kinematics and geometry. Key concepts include the kinematic chain, degrees of freedom, and transmission ratio. Practical considerations cover clearances, backlash, friction, wear, manufacturability, and maintenance. A good mechanism achieves the intended motion with reliability, efficiency, and minimal complexity.

Mechanisms are foundational in devices ranging from clocks and watches to industrial machines, automobiles, and robots. They enable precise timing, controlled actuation, and complex motion sequences without continuous energy input. In synthetic biology or computational contexts, the term is sometimes used more broadly to describe systems that achieve functional transformations.

Historically, mechanisms have evolved from simple levers and gears to sophisticated multi-link assemblies. Early examples include ancient gearing devices and the Antikythera mechanism, while the Industrial Revolution and modern manufacturing standardized components and theories for predicting and optimizing motion.